Loading and ejection systems for biological growth plate scanner

Abstract

The invention is directed to a biological scanner for scanning biological growth plates. A biological growth plate can be loaded into the biological scanner. Upon loading of a biological growth plate, the biological scanner generates an image of the plate and may perform an analysis of the image. Various embodiments are directed to loading features that facilitate automated loading and proper positioning of a plate within the biological scanner, and ejection features that facilitate the automated ejection of the plate from the scanner. Additional embodiments are directed to features that allow a scanner unit of the biological scanner to be attached to a mounting platform of the scanner in different possible configurations.

1 . A biological scanner for scanning a biological growth plate, the scanner comprising:
 an apparatus that holds a biological growth medium at a location inside the reader;   an imaging device that creates an image of the medium;   a processor that counts biological agents in the medium based on the image; and   a conveyor to remove the medium from the reader following release of the medium by the apparatus.   
   
   
       2 . The biological scanner of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a clamp that clamps the medium at the location and releases the medium onto the conveyor. 
   
   
       3 . The biological scanner of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a pincer that pinches the medium at the location and releases the medium onto the conveyor. 
   
   
       4 . The biological scanner of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a securing lever that secures the medium at the location and releases the medium onto the conveyor. 
   
   
       5 . The biological scanner of  claim 1 , further comprising a drawer that opens to receive the biological growth medium and closes to move the medium into the reader. 
   
   
       6 . A biological scanner for scanning a biological growth plate, the scanner comprising:
 an apparatus that holds a biological growth medium at a location inside the reader;   means for identifying a number of biological agents in the medium when the medium is held at the location; and   a conveyor to remove the medium from the reader following release of the medium by the apparatus.   
   
   
       7 . The biological scanner of  claim 6 , further comprising means for receiving the medium and moving the medium into the reader. 
   
   
       8 . The biological scanner of  claim 6 , wherein the apparatus includes a means for pinching the medium. 
   
   
       9 . The biological scanner of  claim 6 , wherein the apparatus includes a means for clamping the medium. 
   
   
       10 . The biological scanner of  claim 6 , wherein the apparatus includes a means for securing the medium. 
   
   
       11 . The biological scanner of  claim 6 , wherein the means for identifying includes means for illuminating the medium, means for imaging the medium, and means for counting biological agents based on an image of the medium. 
   
   
       12 . A method comprising:
 opening a drawer of a biological scanner;   receiving a biological growth medium;   closing the drawer to move the medium into the reader;   temporarily holding the medium at a location;   determining an amount of biological agents in the medium;   reopening the drawer without moving the medium from the location; and   releasing the medium from the location onto a conveyor when the drawer is reopened.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising ejecting the medium from the biological scanner via the conveyor. 
   
   
       14 . A biological scanner for scanning a biological growth plate, the scanner comprising:
 a drawer that opens to receive a biological growth medium and closes to move the medium into the reader, the drawer including a platform on which the medium rests and a lever to elevate and lower the platform; and   a platen inside the reader, wherein upon closing the drawer, the lever elevates the platform so that the medium is positioned adjacent the platen.   
   
   
       15 . The biological scanner of  claim 14 , further comprising a stop inside the reader positioned to abut the platform when the drawer is closed and thereby cause the lever to elevate the platform so that the medium is positioned adjacent the platen. 
   
   
       16 . The biological scanner of  claim 14 , further comprising a set of levers to elevate and lower the platform. 
   
   
       17 . The biological scanner of  claim 14 , the drawer further comprising a platform spring to bias the platform toward the platen when the drawer is closed and thereby press the medium against the platen. 
   
   
       18 . The biological scanner of  claim 14 , further comprising an apparatus that temporarily holds the biological growth medium against the platen when the drawer is subsequently opened following movement of the medium into the reader. 
   
   
       19 . The biological scanner of  claim 18 , wherein following the subsequent opening of the drawer, the apparatus releases the biological growth medium for ejection from the biological scanner. 
   
   
       20 . The biological scanner of  claim 14 , wherein the platen is a first platen, wherein the platform comprises a second platen, wherein elevation of the second platen when the drawer is closed causes the medium to be positioned adjacent the first and second platens. 
   
   
       21 . The biological scanner of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an illumination device inside the reader to illuminate the medium; and   an imaging device to create an image of the medium upon illumination.   
   
   
       22 . The biological scanner of  claim 21 , wherein the imaging device comprises a camera. 
   
   
       23 . The biological scanner of  claim 21 , further comprising a processor to count biological agents in the medium based on the image. 
   
   
       24 . A biological scanner for scanning a biological growth plate, the scanner comprising:
 a platform on which a biological growth medium rests;   a set of levers coupled to the platform to elevate and lower the platform; and   a platen inside the reader, wherein the set of levers elevate the platform so that the medium is positioned adjacent the platen.   
   
   
       25 . The biological scanner of  claim 24 , further comprising a drawer, the platform being coupled to the drawer via the set of levers. 
   
   
       26 . The biological scanner of  claim 25 , further comprising a stop inside the reader positioned to abut the platform when the drawer is closed and thereby cause the set of levers to elevate the platform so that the medium is positioned adjacent the platen. 
   
   
       27 . The biological scanner of  claim 25 , further comprising a platform spring to bias the platform toward the platen when the medium is positioned adjacent the platen. 
   
   
       28 . A biological scanner for scanning a biological growth plate, the scanner comprising:
 a drawer that opens to receive a biological growth medium and closes to move the medium into the reader, the drawer including a platform on which the medium rests and means for elevating and lowering the platform; and   a platen inside the reader, wherein upon closing the drawer, the means for elevating and lowering elevates the platform so that the medium is positioned adjacent the platen.   
   
   
       29 . The biological scanner of  claim 28 , further comprising means for identifying an amount of biological agents in the medium when the medium is positioned adjacent the platen. 
   
   
       30 . The biological scanner of  claim 29 , wherein the means for identifying includes means for illuminating the medium, means for imaging the medium, and means for counting biological agents based on an image of the medium. 
   
   
       31 . The biological scanner of  claim 28 , further comprising means for removing the medium from the reader following a determination of an amount of biological agents in the medium. 
   
   
       32 . A method comprising:
 opening a drawer of a biological scanner;   receiving a biological growth medium on a platform of the drawer;   closing the drawer to move the medium into the reader;   elevating the platform to position the medium adjacent the platen; and   determining an amount of biological agents in the medium.   
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising ejecting the medium from the reader following the determination of the amount of biological agents in the medium. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein elevating the platform includes abutting the platform against a stop in a lateral direction to cause levers to elevate the platform in a vertical direction.